The best lesser-sung sounds of 2026 so far

It’s time for a sonic refill. David Abravanel is here with a full supply of lush arps, washes of sound, rapid-fire grooves — everything Appleblim to Posthuman to Vladislav Delay Quintet, Suzanne Ciani and a bunch more. Your mission: buy some downloads if you can spare the change, and load up some full-album listens in a player of your choice. And maybe turn off the world for a while. -Ed.

A $5 modular drum circuit, a free online course, and how it grows into more

No need to brave the Arizona heat: Glitch’n is a course in electronics that even absolute beginners can enjoy, assembling oscillators, generative beats, filters, and noise on breadboard circuits. But it also helps young people to learn crucial skills that can lead to teaching others and getting jobs. And, for that matter, it could do the same for you. Let’s have a look.

Peter Kirn - August 21, 2026

The delicate, tiny sound machines in the world of Kuro Kasetto

From Mexico, Kuro Kasetto produces music with solenoids and machines that quivers and rustles as if it’s more flora than machine. It’s a world of “tiny sounds” and a source of exquisite escape.

Peter Kirn - July 24, 2026

Emotional electronics, from Mexicali’s underground beacon: four essential releases

Peter Kirn - June 25, 2026

Maggi Payne, photographing crystals, composing for Moog modular III, more

Peter Kirn - May 17, 2026

Tim Exile built an experimental modular system, all about playability

Peter Kirn - April 28, 2026

Y’all want the new Boards of Canada so bad you crashed Warp’s server

Peter Kirn - April 22, 2026

Stillness and radical presence: Mercurial Cycles mix from Hüma Utku

Peter Kirn - March 20, 2026

That time NIN made a perfect ambient industrial soundtrack for Quake

Peter Kirn - March 18, 2026